Israeli forces injure Palestinian youth in northern Gaza Strip

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces injured a Palestinian youth under unclear circumstances near the northern border area of the Gaza Strip on Saturday, local medical sources told Ma'an.

The sources told Ma’an that a Palestinian in his twenties was injured by Israeli forces as he was collecting firewood in Beit Lahiya in the northern part of the besieged enclave.

He was transferred to a hospital for treatment. Medical sources did not provide details on how the youth was injured or the severity of his wounds.

An Israeli army spokesperson told Ma’an she would look into reports on the incident. Earlier Saturday, Israeli forces opened live fire at Palestinian fishermen off the coast of Beit Lahiya -- no injuries were reported.

According to UN documentation, at least 178 Palestinians in Gaza were injured by Israeli forces in 2016, while eight Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces during this period, mainly during clashes with Israeli forces along the security barrier between the territory and Israel.